Pushing Beyond Limits: Jen Done on Completing IRONMAN Kalmar and IRONMAN Copenhagen Back-to-Back
When life pushes you to your limit, taking a single step forward can change everything. For podcast host and endurance athlete Jen Done, that single step eventually led to one of the most audacious challenges in multisport: completing two full-distance IRONMAN races in two different countries over a single weekend.
Here is how Jen tackled IRONMAN Kalmar and IRONMAN Copenhagen back-to-back, the mental strategy that kept her moving, and why taking it one step at a time is a mantra for life.
The Big "Why"
Jen's path to the start line did not begin with multi-day endurance goals. It started during a dark period of postnatal depression and crippling anxiety.
"I was in a really dark place, struggling to get out the front door," Jen shares. "I'd done a couple of half marathons before and always felt running cleared my head, so with support from my family, I pushed myself to get out for a short one-minute run."
That single minute sparked a shift. Building her distance bit by bit, Jen set an ambitious goal to complete an IRONMAN 70.3. "This genuinely saved my life," she says.
Her journey led to completing multiple full-distance events and launching her podcast, The Toughest Finish Line, which shares stories of people using tough life experiences to cross extraordinary finish lines. To remind others that they can keep moving through their own struggles, Jen decided to take on the ultimate test: two IRONMAN races in 48 hours.
Logistics: Lost Luggage and Midnight Drives
Executing one full-distance triathlon requires meticulous planning. Doing two across Sweden and Denmark in one weekend demands serious resilience.
The original plan was simple: fly to Copenhagen, register, drive to Kalmar on Thursday, and prep kit on Friday for Saturday's race. But airline logistics had other ideas.
"Sadly, all of our luggage was lost at the airport," Jen says. "We lost a day of organising, which was really stressful! But we made it through."
Jen used her own bike for both events. After racking and racing in Kalmar on Saturday, her husband packed the bike into their van while she ran the marathon. As soon as she finished, they drove straight to Copenhagen, arriving at midnight.
"I managed to lie out in the van to try and rest, but there was very little sleep before waking up at 4:30 AM to head to the second start line. It is incredible what your body can do on hardly any sleep!"
Training for Back-to-Back Days
Preparing for back-to-back long-course efforts meant tweaking standard training fundamentals. While the core swim, bike, and run sessions included the usual mix of easy, tempo, and speed work, the main shift was in consecutive volume.
"The biggest difference was having lots of back-to-back heavy sessions to prep my body for working hard on consecutive days," Jen explains. "This wouldn't normally happen with a standard plan to allow your body to recover, but it was key in getting ready."
Fuelling Through Nausea
Nutrition is often called the fourth discipline of triathlon, and back-to-back racing tests your stomach as much as your legs.
Jen's original strategy targeted 90g of carbohydrates per hour using a mix of gels, liquid nutrition, and real food. In Kalmar, the strategy worked smoothly until the final two hours of the run, when severe nausea set in.
"I had to ease off fuel completely, and Coca-Cola became my best friend," Jen recalls.
The nausea persisted into the next morning, forcing her to abandon her planned race breakfast. During Copenhagen, she was only able to manage around 30g of carbs per hour.
"It absolutely wasn't enough, but it was all I could tolerate. Amazingly, my body somehow managed to keep going despite the low amount of fuel."
The Mindset: One Step at a Time
When physical exhaustion and nausea set in during the second marathon in Copenhagen, mental strength took over.
"I didn't allow myself to think about the finish line at all," Jen says. "Even on the final mile, I still didn't believe I would do it. My mantra is to take a step and then one more step, so I just kept repeating this. I focused only on one step at a time: get to the next aid station, and then take another step."
Her family provided the ultimate boost on course. Seeing her husband and daughter cheering roadside kept her legs moving when fatigue tried to pull her back.
Key Takeaways for the Community
Reflecting on the whirlwind weekend, Jen highlights the electric marathon atmosphere in Copenhagen and the jellyfish-filled swim in Kalmar as unforgettable moments. But her biggest lesson goes far deeper than race day statistics.
"My biggest takeaway is that I can do so much more than I think I can, and that it's okay if things don't quite go to plan," she says. "Even with lost luggage and limited nutrition, I still made it through. To all of the women in our community, remember: you are stronger than you think. Take a step, and then one more step. You never know where you'll end up!"
Get Involved with Women in Tri UK
Ready to take your next step in swim, bike, run, or triathlon? Here is how you can connect with our community:
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